S-shaped throwing objects and horizontal target

ABSTRACT

A game of skill including a horizontal goal bar and a generally S-shaped throwing member with hook-like portions on the end thereof. When the member is properly directed at the bar it will catch and hang thereon.

Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,917,269 P q ette 14 1 Nov. 4, 1975 S-SHAPED THROWING OBJECTS AND 2,506,453 5/1950 Hinkle 273/100 HORIZQNTAL TARGET 2,584,260 2/1952 Custer..... 273/106 3,595,578 7/1971 Burcenski 273/106 R Inventorl Marcel q 393 Crestwood 3,602,509 8/1971 Curtiss 273/100 Drlve, Cheshire, Conn. 06410 3,731,931 5/1973 Monaco 273/95 R Filed Mar 9 1973 3,774,911 11/1973 Benfield 273/106C [21] Appl. No.: 331,294 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind 52 us. 01. 273/95 R; 273/106 c; 273/102 R; Attorney Agent and Montgmery 273/ 100 51 1111.01 A63B 71/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 273/95 R, 99, 100, 102 R, A game of skill including a horizontal goal bar and a 273/ 104, 106 R, 106 B, 106 C generally S-shaped throwing member with hook-like portions on the end thereof. When the member is [56] References Cited properly directed at the bar it will catch and hang UNITED STATES PATENTS thereon- 2,()73,324 3/1937 Stockton 273/ 100 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975" S-SIIAPED THROWING OBJECTS AND HORIZONTAL TARGET This invention relates to games and more particularly relates to games of skill wherein an object is thrown at a goal in an attempt to retain the object on the goal.

A game embodying the invention is somewhat analogous to the game of horseshoes in that the object of the game is to score points by throwing a generally S- shaped member having the ends of the member contin ued into hook-like portions at a horizontal goal bar. If properly thrown and aimed, the member upon striking the goal bar will spin thereon and subsequently one of the hook-like portions will engage the bar and prevent the member from slipping off.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved game in which an object is thrown toward a goal for retention thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game of the type described which utilizes a new and improved throwing member having a novel configuration which adapts itself to engagement with the goal bar when properly thrown and aimed.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification.

The invention, however, both as to organization and operation together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of an individual practicing or playing a game embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the goal;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the object thrown at the goal.

The game comprises two main pieces, a goal l and a throwing member 11. The goal 10, as shown, is in the form of a goal bar 12 which extends horizontally between two vertical support members 13 and 14 which may have their lower extremities cut on a bias 15 to facilitate staking of the goal 10 in the ground G. The upright supports 13 and 14 merely provide a support for the goal bar 12 which may be supported in any other convenient manner.

As shown, the bar 12 may have dividers in the form of washers 16 and 17 placed thereon to define sections of different scoring weight. For example, the area between the dividers 16 and 17 if engaged by the thrown object may count a higher point score than the portions of the goal bar 12 between the dividers 16 and 17 and the supports 13 and 14. The throwing member 11 is generally S-shaped and includes a straight portion 19 which extends into large radii portions 20 and 21 which, in turn, are turned back on themselves to form hook-like portions 22 and 23 on the extremities of member 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the member 11 is in a position in which it would be grasped by the thrower adjacent portion 22 or portion 20 so as to rotate when thrown in the direction of the arrow A.

The object is to throw the member 11 at the goal bar 12 with a forward motion so that it is spinning counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG. I). When it strikes the bar 12 it will rotate thereabout until the bar 12 is engaged by one of hook-like portions 22 or 23. It will come to rest with the goal 12 in the portions 20 or 21 but without the hook portions 22 or 23. The hook portions 22 prevent the member 11 from flying off the goal bar 12 once proper contact has been made between member 11 and goal bar 12.

Dependent on the linear velocity and the rotational motion, and also the angle at which the member strikes the bar, it may or may not twirl about goal bar 12 and be retained thereon.

The game is one of skill in which the various players will develop their own technique of throwing as to linear velocity, arc of approach and amount of twirl or rotational motion imparted to member 11.

Member 11 is so formed in the S-shape that upon striking the bar the various components of motion that it has and the point at which it strikes the bar will determine whether it may bounce off to the ground, or slide off of the bar 12, or skid around it and hang thereon.

The hook portions 22 and 23 will catch onto the goal bar as it spins and in most cases retain the member 11 on the bar. When the member 11 finally comes to rest it will be disposed on the bar 12 substantially as shown in FIG. 4.

It is preferred that the goal bar 12 be made of cylindrical stock as well as the member 11. However, other cross-sectional shapes may be utilized. In any event, the radius on which the portions 22 and 23 are defined and the opening into such hook-like portions should be slightly greater than the major cross-sectional dimension of the goal bar 12.

It may thus be seen that the objects of the invention set forth as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description are efficiently attained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, modification to the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments of the invention and modifications to the disclosed embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A game comprising a throwable object, a horizontally disposed bar adapted to be a target for said throwable object, means for supporting said bar above a surface, said object comprising a member of substantially rigid material formed into a substantially S-shape, the ends of said member being continued and turned back to form hook-like bights larger than the greatest crosssection of said bar, whereby said object is thrown at the bar and the hook-like bights can be caught on the bar.

2. The game of claim 1 wherein said bar has sectional dividers thereon.

3. The game of claim 1 wherein said bar is cylindrica].

4. The game of claim 1 wherein said member is formed of cylindrical stock. 

1. A game comprising a throwable object, a horizontally disposed bar adapted to be a target for said throwable object, means for supporting said bar above a surface, said object comprising a member of substantially rigid material formed into a substantially S-shape, the ends of said member being continued and turned back to form hook-like bights larger than the greatest cross-section of said bar, whereby said object is thrown at the bar and the hook-like bights can be caught on the bar.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein said bar has sectional dividers thereon.
 3. The game of claim 1 wherein said bar is cylindrical.
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein said member is formed of cylindrical stock. 